The Ridgeway Route:
- Thread starter Blew it
- Start date
Part six
Heading home, past the poshest sheep-shed in Wiltshire.
Before climbing back up to the Ridgeway, with 18 miles on the clock, I decided to switch batteries. With two batteries on board there is no point in stressing either of them.
The kettle lead is now plugged into the machines frame battery. There are no indications as to who made this battery, and I'm not about to pull it apart to find out. This battery easily meets the demands of the 15 amp controller fitted. When conditioning the battery I achieved an incredible distance with it, mainly due to the absence of an independant throttle. I'm not going to publish that range because you wouldn't believe me!. Having a guess at this 3.3 Kg batteries construction, I compared it's watt-hour per Kg against that of the Advance battery fitted to my Wisper 905, It was very similar, which leads me to believe it's a Lithium Manganese.
About to start the climb back up to the Ridgeway.
It was at the top of this chalk track, where it changes to rutted soil, a comedy of errors unfolded.
To be concluded...........................
Heading home, past the poshest sheep-shed in Wiltshire.
Before climbing back up to the Ridgeway, with 18 miles on the clock, I decided to switch batteries. With two batteries on board there is no point in stressing either of them.
The kettle lead is now plugged into the machines frame battery. There are no indications as to who made this battery, and I'm not about to pull it apart to find out. This battery easily meets the demands of the 15 amp controller fitted. When conditioning the battery I achieved an incredible distance with it, mainly due to the absence of an independant throttle. I'm not going to publish that range because you wouldn't believe me!. Having a guess at this 3.3 Kg batteries construction, I compared it's watt-hour per Kg against that of the Advance battery fitted to my Wisper 905, It was very similar, which leads me to believe it's a Lithium Manganese.
About to start the climb back up to the Ridgeway.
It was at the top of this chalk track, where it changes to rutted soil, a comedy of errors unfolded.
To be concluded...........................
Part seven
Heading back up to Fyfield Down through one of the deeply rutted sections, I found myself riding in one of the 12" deep ruts. I discovered it wasn't the best time for admiring the scenery when the left hand pedal dug hard into the side, quickly followed by the front wheel jamming sideways across the rut. The machine came to a dead stop, yours truly, having a little more mass continued on with a neatly performed shoulder roll over the handlebars. Such antics on a remote track may seem a little foolhardy, but the never mown or munched long grass provided for a soft landing, heaving a 31 Kg bike off the top of myself was a little more difficult. Un-seatings are quite normal for me when riding these rural tracks. Apart from the odd graze or bruise no serious injury has ever happened, unlike the high speed contact with un-yielding tarmac experienced by road riders. I'm quite sure one of these days I'm going to pick myself up and find little white cards pop up behind the hedge 5.9 4.6 5.3.....................
Trying to get the machine up to balancing speed, uphill and picking a route through the ruts at the same time proved to be difficult. My left leg was already playing up from the hard climb up from Avebury so walking the bike through was out of the question, I had to get it moving and take advantage of the assistance. An independant throttle would have made all the difference. After two more false starts I decided to engage the brain and immediately remembered the high level ledge I used on the outward journey. The machine was man-handled across the ruts and up onto the "shelf" and finally, I got underway. The high speed Bafang gives very little assistance below 6 mph. Once above this speed it surges in with plenty of torque, and continues to do so right up to 18 mph.
Heading back down to Barbury, If only the track was like this all the way!
To me, there isn't a nicer sound on earth than that of a pair of knobblies padding along on a hardpack track, not forgetting that reassuring purr from the motor. Any other creaks rattles or squeaks intruding on the peace and quiet are not welcome and quickly dealt with. The ride is now downhill all the way to Swindon with just the odd turn of the pedals needed to keep things moving at a decent speed. This also helps to keep the numb bum at bay. At horizon centre of the above photo you can just see the hangars of the disused Wroughton Airfield, now owned by the London Science Museum for external storage. Two days after this ride I spent a most enjoyable day at The Festival of Innovative Science held there.
On the horizon right-of-centre in the next photo, a good view of Barbury Castle.
This Iron Age hill fort has a convenient "tilt" allowing a clear view of both Eastern and Western entrances through the ramparts. The original route passed through the fort and was a place where travellers could find rest and sustenance, however, we should remember this was the "Dark Ages". When the fort was constructed, the earth ramparts would have been considerably higher than they are now, but not high enough so it seems!. In the year AD556, in the Battle of Beran Byrig (Barbury), the Saxon King Cynric and his son Ceawlin, drove the resident Romano-Brits off the fort, who then "took flight" (Wroughton Airfield perhaps?). This, and other Battles in the area, were considered instrumental in the creation of The Kingdom of Wessex.
Desperately in need of a cup of tea, I decided to visit my favourite tea urn on the way home, the little kiosk at the Northern end of Coate Water dam. While the young lady made my cuppa, I casually mentioned where I'd just been, "Crikey, you do need a cup of tea" she said. Apparently, she had ridden the route twice on sponsored rides. I have to agree with her surprise that it was listed as "a family friendly ride". My total distance for the ride was 34.8 miles.
So, would I ride this route again?. If you had asked me that on the day, the answer would have been a resounding NO!. Trouble is, I'm addicted to rural riding, and already plans are being made to repeat the journey next Spring, but not until the machine has been fitted with a throttle. I have a full function, throttle and pedelec, 15 amp controller available, during the Winter months this will be fitted to the machine.
So there you have it. I've done the ride, now it's your turn, if you dare!.
All the best
Bob (The high plains drifter)
No E-bikes were harmed in the making of this film
Heading back up to Fyfield Down through one of the deeply rutted sections, I found myself riding in one of the 12" deep ruts. I discovered it wasn't the best time for admiring the scenery when the left hand pedal dug hard into the side, quickly followed by the front wheel jamming sideways across the rut. The machine came to a dead stop, yours truly, having a little more mass continued on with a neatly performed shoulder roll over the handlebars. Such antics on a remote track may seem a little foolhardy, but the never mown or munched long grass provided for a soft landing, heaving a 31 Kg bike off the top of myself was a little more difficult. Un-seatings are quite normal for me when riding these rural tracks. Apart from the odd graze or bruise no serious injury has ever happened, unlike the high speed contact with un-yielding tarmac experienced by road riders. I'm quite sure one of these days I'm going to pick myself up and find little white cards pop up behind the hedge 5.9 4.6 5.3.....................
Trying to get the machine up to balancing speed, uphill and picking a route through the ruts at the same time proved to be difficult. My left leg was already playing up from the hard climb up from Avebury so walking the bike through was out of the question, I had to get it moving and take advantage of the assistance. An independant throttle would have made all the difference. After two more false starts I decided to engage the brain and immediately remembered the high level ledge I used on the outward journey. The machine was man-handled across the ruts and up onto the "shelf" and finally, I got underway. The high speed Bafang gives very little assistance below 6 mph. Once above this speed it surges in with plenty of torque, and continues to do so right up to 18 mph.
Heading back down to Barbury, If only the track was like this all the way!
To me, there isn't a nicer sound on earth than that of a pair of knobblies padding along on a hardpack track, not forgetting that reassuring purr from the motor. Any other creaks rattles or squeaks intruding on the peace and quiet are not welcome and quickly dealt with. The ride is now downhill all the way to Swindon with just the odd turn of the pedals needed to keep things moving at a decent speed. This also helps to keep the numb bum at bay. At horizon centre of the above photo you can just see the hangars of the disused Wroughton Airfield, now owned by the London Science Museum for external storage. Two days after this ride I spent a most enjoyable day at The Festival of Innovative Science held there.
On the horizon right-of-centre in the next photo, a good view of Barbury Castle.
This Iron Age hill fort has a convenient "tilt" allowing a clear view of both Eastern and Western entrances through the ramparts. The original route passed through the fort and was a place where travellers could find rest and sustenance, however, we should remember this was the "Dark Ages". When the fort was constructed, the earth ramparts would have been considerably higher than they are now, but not high enough so it seems!. In the year AD556, in the Battle of Beran Byrig (Barbury), the Saxon King Cynric and his son Ceawlin, drove the resident Romano-Brits off the fort, who then "took flight" (Wroughton Airfield perhaps?). This, and other Battles in the area, were considered instrumental in the creation of The Kingdom of Wessex.
Desperately in need of a cup of tea, I decided to visit my favourite tea urn on the way home, the little kiosk at the Northern end of Coate Water dam. While the young lady made my cuppa, I casually mentioned where I'd just been, "Crikey, you do need a cup of tea" she said. Apparently, she had ridden the route twice on sponsored rides. I have to agree with her surprise that it was listed as "a family friendly ride". My total distance for the ride was 34.8 miles.
So, would I ride this route again?. If you had asked me that on the day, the answer would have been a resounding NO!. Trouble is, I'm addicted to rural riding, and already plans are being made to repeat the journey next Spring, but not until the machine has been fitted with a throttle. I have a full function, throttle and pedelec, 15 amp controller available, during the Winter months this will be fitted to the machine.
So there you have it. I've done the ride, now it's your turn, if you dare!.
All the best
Bob (The high plains drifter)
No E-bikes were harmed in the making of this film
Love reading the posts on your bike journeys Bob. Your entertaining descriptions and stunning pictures are a real tonic.
Thanks Kenny, your kind words are very much appreciated.
700 views of a one week old thread are reward enough for me, and of course, the enjoyment of the ride.
All the best
Bob
700 views of a one week old thread are reward enough for me, and of course, the enjoyment of the ride.
All the best
Bob
Cheers Edd, I never actually went overboardSuperb! Nice to have you back on board Bob
Fancy a crack at Rutland Water next Summer?
Maybe... I am riding most days and my stamina is much improved. I could come down in the camper and give it a go!Cheers Edd, I never actually went overboard
Fancy a crack at Rutland Water next Summer?
along with some other forum members? lolRutland Water - Cycling
Anglian Water | Home | Leisure | What to see | Water Parks | Rutland Water Park
Last edited:
Whilst not as spectacular a tumble, this is exactly what happened to me (at least twice!) going from the "Reading" end of the Ridgeway on an unpowered Dawes Horizon with 700c x 28 tyres (probably even more foolhardy)..
As my target was a rave at Wantage (rather than trying to ride the Ridgeway for its own merits, in hindsight I would have ridden a MTB instead!) I went along the road, but I reckon if I had carried on from Wantage I would have ended up in the same area you were as that bit looks familiar. (it wasn't however as popular with the ravers as the Wiltshire constabulary were harsher than TVP on these sorts of events)
I'd be keen to join in. Our family did the circuit a few years ago on unassisted bikes, and it was not at all taxing, so on e-bikes it should be very pleasant!Maybe... I am riding most days and my stamina is much improved. I could come down in the camper and give it a go!
blew it,
exellent bob, i have been on night shift this week so it was nice getting up to read your post well done, out on bike today. ( ye ha )
thanks.
mapman.
exellent bob, i have been on night shift this week so it was nice getting up to read your post well done, out on bike today. ( ye ha )
thanks.
mapman.
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